I flew a Caliber 30 yesterday. Very nice and smooth. It was quite windy, but the machine handled it well. It is bigger than I envisioned, but still light. No more than six pounds, I'd say.

I've flown several versions of the Shuttle, owned and flown a Raptor, and had a half dozen Concepts. The Concept is still my favorite. This Caliber seems to be just as smooth, but it is physically larger than the Concept. No big deal, just an observation. Plus, there is alledgely a new canopy coming out, which the machine desperately needs. Not only is the current one just plain hideous, you cannot get to anything with it on.

Guys who are seriously into 3D tell me that the DDF head on the Concept is, like you say, inferior to a solid-axle head for 3D-type flying. I couldn't say; but I like the way the Concept flies overall. Still, the solid-axle head on the Caliber was quite impressive yesterday. The ship felt very stable while I was yanking and banking it around in that wind; admittedly better than a Concept probably would. The Caliber did have Hirobo paddles on it, though. The owner said it was squirrelly with the kit paddles.

Steve